The Telegraph's motorcycling correspondent Kevin Ash has died after an accident during a new bike launch in South Africa.

Kevin lost his life during the launch of a BMW motorcycle in South Africa on Tuesday.

He was not only a valued, knowledgable and highly regarded correspondent, he was also one of the friendliest people you could wish to meet. His passion for motorcycles and the pleasures of motorcycling knew no bounds and his skill – both as a rider and a journalist – were held in the greatest respect by the industry and his peers.

We at the Telegraph always appreciated his good-humoured can-do approach to any assignment, as well as his sheer professionalism.

Our thoughts go to his wife and three daughters.

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Tony Gallagher, Editor, The Daily Telegraph, said: “Kevin Ash was the doyen of motorcycle correspondents. Respected throughout journalism and the motorcycle trade, he was also one of our most admired motoring columnists and will be greatly missed by both Telegraph staff and readers. Our thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family at this difficult and sad time.”

Kevin Ash photographed on a recent assignment

BMW released an official statement late last night, saying. "It is with deep regret that BMW Motorrad confirms the fatal injury of Kevin Ash in a motorcycle accident during a launch event in South Africa. The accident happened to the north of a town called George, 250 kilometres east of Cape Town. Out of respect for Kevin's family and friends, no further information is being made available at this time."

Adrian Roderick, general manager for BMW Motorrad UK, said: "We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear the awful news about Kevin Ash; one of the most well-liked, experienced and respected journalists in the extremely close-knit motorcycle community. Losing Kevin is a tragedy which will be felt across the entire industry. He was a friend, as much as a journalist, and will be sorely missed. Our heartfelt thoughts are with his family, friends and colleagues at this awful time."

Fellow journalist Geoff Hill, who was at the same launch as Kevin, said: "No one is still quite sure what happened, and we won't know more until the police and BMW investigation has finished, but all of us on the launch from the British bike world are devastated, and are still finding it hard to believe that Kevin won't just walk through the door with a witty remark.

"He was not only a legend in motorcycling journalism, with an unsurpassed technical knowledge and writing style, but a close friend to us all, and the world of motorcycling in general, and motorcycling journalism in particular, is today a much poorer place without him."

Tributes to Kevin Ash can be emailed to kevinashtribute@telegraph.co.uk